 The support of on-site management plays an important role in the recycling
program’s success. There are several things that can be done to help make
recycling in multifamily complexes convenient and understandable. Setting up
convenient carts or bins and educating tenants are essential to the program’s
success. We recommend the following:
Convenience:
Recycling should be just as convenient as taking out the
garbage. Keep the recycling containers in a location that is convenient to tenants.
Recycling containers should be located in the same area as the garbage containers
so it is easy for tenants to recycle when they take out their trash.
Place recycling containers
in common areas such as the mail area and laundry room.
Capacity:
Recycling and garbage containers must have enough capacity
to hold the materials that accumulate between collections.
If your garbage bin
is consistently partially empty, contact your garbage hauler to
find out about getting a smaller bin. It is often more cost effective to call
the hauler for occasional special pick-ups, than to maintain peak capacity year
round.
Cardboard: Most complexes generate a large amount of cardboard. If
you do not already have one, contact your trash hauler about
getting a separate dumpster for cardboard collection.
Labels & Signage:
OCRRA provides decals and posters to
help educate your tenants.
Click here to download order form.
Make sure that your garbage and recycling bins are
clearly labeled. If tenants know what goes where they will be more likely to
recycle.
Place posters and signage near the recycling bins and in common areas.
Education:
Provide recycling information to your tenants at least once per year and to all
new residents when they move in. Contact OCRRA for free recycling info
brochures to hand out and insert in move-in packets. When handing these out as reminders to existing tenants, feel free to edit and use our tenant memo.
If you have a monthly
newsletter feature periodic reminders about what can be recycled and where.
Common
Issues:
- Bulky
waste: Frequent tenant moves may generate large amounts of bulky goods (such
as furniture, appliances, and mattresses) and other reusable items. Several local
non-profits and charities will accept these items and many will even pick them
up. Call OCRRA at 453-2866 for more information on how to donate these items.
- Electronics: For disposal of electronic waste (such as computers,
monitors and other electronic goods) please have your tenants visit OCRRA’s Community Collection Center (C3). Better yet, encourage them to donate working items for reuse,
by contacting local donation centers to see what they will accept, check out our reuse links, or call OCRRA for
suggestions at 453-2866.
- Motor
Oil: All locations that sell motor oil, including local gas stations and quick
oil change stations, are required by law to accept used motor oil. Some may accept
anti-freeze too.
- Household
Hazardous Wastes (HHW): HHW encompasses a wide range of materials such as
paint, solvents, pesticides, drain cleaners or any product that contains potentially
harmful or dangerous chemicals. These products should never be poured down the
drain or put in the trash. Encourage your tenants to dispose of these materials by taking them to one of
OCRRA's Household Hazardous Waste Days. Appointments are required.
Additional Ideas:
- Share tables: Some complexes set up ‘share tables’ where
people can leave behind unwanted goods and exchange them for others. Share tables
should be regularly monitored by a volunteer or staff person. Lingering items
should be donated to local charity on a regular basis.
- Apartment wide garage sale: Some
apartment complexes have found that hosting a swap meet at the apartment complex
is a great way to exchange unwanted items and also meet more neighbors.
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